News Releases

APRIL 16-17: Join EPA for Earth Day on the National Mall

WASHINGTON – Join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) April 16 and 17 for Earth Day on the National Mall. With more than 40 interactive exhibits, kids and adults can have eco-fun with hands on activities, art, music and storytelling with special guests. Special guests include Marcus McNeill from the San Diego Chargers, Madieu Williams from the Minnesota Vikings, and Olympic track star Michael Walton. Visitors will learn how to protect their own health and the environment in which they live.

A few examples of activities include:

· Listen to Earth Tales: Children can listen to inspiring kid friendly stories about our planet read by EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and special guests, including, Marcus McNeill, Madieu Williams, Michael Walton, and Phaedra Ellis-Lamkins. (Saturday Only)· Learn to Collect Forensic Evidence: See EPA criminal investigators at a mock environmental crime scene. (Saturday and Sunday)· Take the Lung Challenge: Take a deep breath to find out how much air your lungs can hold and why clean air is important. (Saturday and Sunday)· Renovate Right: Does your home have lead-based paint? Find out and learn to renovate right to keep your family safe. (Saturday and Sunday)· Become a Scientist: Try your hand at conducting a series of simple chemistry experiments with EPA researchers and learn why understanding chemical mixtures is important for protecting the planet. (Saturday and Sunday)· Create Eco Art: Co-hosted by the Capital Hill Arts Workshop, kids can paint an earth friendly image on a post card, and mail it courtesy of the U.S. Postal Service and its new “Go Green” stamp. (Saturday and Sunday)· Bash the Trash: Visitors can express their creativity by constructing and playing musical instruments from recycled water bottles. (Sunday Only)

The event also features EPA’s annual People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) award competition where college students from across the country showcase their innovative solutions for protecting the environment. Visitors to this year’s competition can learn about a wide range of new ideas that may be environmental technologies emerging in the not-so-distant future. Teams are exploring ways to make algae into fuel, lightweight green roofs, and safe drinking water in rural areas. Previous P3 award winners have started successful businesses and are marketing the technologies in the U.S. and around the world.